Simulating continuous millimeter wave band access to a telecommunications network

ABSTRACT

The disclosed technology includes at least one method performed by a system of a telecommunications network. The system can establish a communications link between the wireless device and a network access node (NAN) of the 5G network. While connected over a non-mmW band, the wireless device autonomously schedules data downloads to occur when the wireless device is on an mmW band. The system then receives a request from the wireless device to perform the data downloads, which can be enabled by a packet gateway (PGW) upon receiving a confirmation by the NAN that the wireless device can connect over the mmW band. Otherwise, the PGW denies the wireless device&#39;s request to perform the data downloads, which can be enforced by the NAN.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/905,752, filed on Jun. 18, 2020, entitled SIMULATING CONTINUOUSMILLIMETER WAVE BAND ACCESS TO A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety byreference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

5G refers to fifth generation wireless communication technologies thatsupport cellular data networks. 3GPP defines any system using 5G NewRadio (5G NR) software as 5G. The frequency spectrum of 5G is dividedinto millimeter wave, mid-band, and low-band. Low-band uses a similarfrequency range as LTE/LTE-A, the predecessor to 5G, which is alsoreferred to as 4G communication. Millimeter wave is the fastest, withactual speeds often being 1-2 Gbit/s, at frequencies above 24 GHz,reaching up to 72 GHz in some examples. The signal reach of many 5Gnetwork access nodes is short and, as such, more cells are requiredcompared to 4G. Further, indoor coverage is limited because millimeterwaves have difficulty traversing walls and windows. 5G mid-band offers acompromise between speed and signal reach.

5G networks support numerous and different types of communications thatprovide ultrahigh-speed service delivery and connect a massive number ofdevices. For example, 5G networks support massively interconnecteddevices for Internet-of-Things (IOT), mobile broadband (MBB),vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-to-machine (M2M),machine-to-everything (M2X), ultra-reliable low-latency communication(URLLC), machine-type communication (MTC), and other communications.Each of these communication types may have different transmission andlatency requirements. Moreover, 5G networks can require efficientallocation of resources while minimizing conflicts and interference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present technology will be described and explainedthrough the use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a wireless communicationssystem.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates core components of a wirelessnetwork.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process for simulatingcontinuous access to a millimeter wave (mmW) band by using trustedcapacity reporting for conditional usage and scheduling.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a computingsystem in which at least some operations described herein can beimplemented.

Various features of the technologies described herein will become moreapparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the DetailedDescription in conjunction with the drawings. Embodiments areillustrated by way of example and not limitation in the drawings, inwhich like references may indicate similar elements. While the drawingsdepict various embodiments for the purpose of illustration, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that alternative embodiments may beemployed without departing from the principles of the technologies.Accordingly, while specific embodiments are shown in the drawings, thetechnology is amenable to various modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A wireless device (e.g., mobile device) experiences drastically changingradio frequency (RF) conditions, especially in 5G as the mobile wirelessdevice traverses license assisted access (LAA), millimeter wave (mmW),mid-range, and/or low-range bands. A major feature of 5G networks isoperationalizing mmW capacity. However, mmWs propagate solely byline-of-sight (LOS) paths and, as a result, access to mmW capacity by awireless device requires LOS to a network access node (NAN), such as atower, which is not available everywhere (e.g., inside a user's home).Thus, users rely heavily on a home broadband network (Wi-Fi) andmanually configure a wireless device to download or stream certain formsof data only while connected to Wi-Fi. Doing so restricts dataconsumption on a cellular network, which is a costly component of aservice plan and can congest the network. Thus, wireless devices areunable to access the high-speed, low-latency, high-capacity mmW capacityof 5G networks from anywhere.

The disclosed technology includes a technique for a wireless device towork with network nodes to provide a user with perceived consistent mmWaccess to a telecommunications network. The wireless device can connectwith a NAN over either an mmW link or a non-mmW link (e.g., mid-band,low-band) to access the 5G network. If the wireless device is within LOSof the NAN and the network conditions are suitable for an mmW link, thewireless device can experience high-speed, low-latency, high capacityaccess to the 5G network. While connected over the mmW link, thewireless device can preload a local memory with data that a user islikely to access later. As such, the user can access the preloaded datato experience perceived access to the 5G network over an mmW linkdespite the absence of an mmW link.

For example, the wireless device can include an application programminginterface (API) that connects with local applications (“apps”), whichrequest the operating system to queue certain data items for downloadwhen connected to an mmW band of the 5G network. The wireless device canautonomously predict suitable data items based on the user's activitiesin accordance with machine learning techniques. As such, a queue of dataitems is filled and scheduled for download when the wireless deviceconnects to an mmW band of the 5G network. For example, a streamingvideo app can predict programs based on the user's viewing history andrequest that the wireless device download the programs proactively whenconnected to the 5G network over an mmW link. As such, when the wirelessdevice is connected on a non-mmW link to the 5G network or disconnectedentirely, the data items that are stored locally are accessible as ifthe wireless device is connected in real-time over an mmW link. That is,a user can experience consistent rendering of high-resolution videowhile not connected over an mmW link because the wireless device playsback the video that is stored locally at the wireless device.Accordingly, the wireless device can move non-real-time consumption tommW bands to download data in the background.

As the wireless device changes from mmW bands to non-mmW bands, the NANthat provides access to the 5G network enforces policies of a packetgateway (PGW) to promote maximum mmW band utilization. For example, theNAN can report requests from the wireless device along with networkconditions to the PGW, which returns instructions for the NAN. As such,the NAN functions as a trusted source of network and connection statusinformation for the PGW rather than passively enabling any requests fromthe wireless device. That is, the NAN is trusted because it is a known,identifiable, and recognized network-side device rather than a rougewireless device.

A network carrier can also incentivize subscribers to utilize mmW bandsby offering free mmW access while charging for non-mmW utilization. Assuch, the PGW couples to the billing function of the network to recordutilization of mmW bands and non-mmW bands. In another example, thenetwork can intentionally limit performance by wireless devices onnon-mmW links to induce users into seeking mmW connections. For example,a streaming video can play with a 4K-definition only over an mmW linkand in standard definition over non-mmW links.

Thus, the disclosed technology can maximize or encourage dataconsumption on 5G mmW bands, which can ultimately displace homebroadband networks. Doing so improves user experience and isoperationally less costly for network carriers compared to legacysystems (e.g., 4G), as well as provide other benefits.

Wireless Communications System

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a wireless communicationsystem 100 (“system 100”). The system 100 includes base stations 102-1through 102-4 (also referred to individually as “base station 102” orcollectively as “base stations 102”). A base station is a type ofnetwork access node (NAN) that can also be referred as a cell site, abase transceiver station, or a radio base station. The system 100 caninclude any combination of NANs including an access point, a radiotransceiver, a gNodeB (gNB), NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), Home NodeB, a HomeeNodeB, or the like.

The NANs of a network formed by the system 100 also includes wirelessdevices 104-1 through 104-8 (referred to individually as “wirelessdevice 104” or collectively as “wireless devices 104”) and a corenetwork 106. The wireless devices 104-1 through 104-7 are capable ofcommunication using various connectivity standards. For example, a 5Gcommunication channel can use mmW access frequencies of 28 GHz. In someimplementations, the wireless device 104 can operatively couple to abase station 102 over an LTE/LTE-A communication channel, which isreferred to as a 4G communication channel.

The core network 106 can provide, manage, or control security services,user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol(IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. Thebase stations 102 interface with the core network 106 through a firstset of backhaul links 108 (e.g., S1) and can perform radio configurationand scheduling for communication with the wireless devices 104 or canoperate under the control of a base station controller (not shown). Insome examples, the base stations 102 can communicate, either directly orindirectly (e.g., through the core network 106), with each other over asecond set of backhaul links 110-1 through 110-3 (e.g., X1), which canbe wired or wireless communication links.

The base stations 102 can wirelessly communicate with the wirelessdevices 104 via one or more base station antennas. The cell sites canprovide communication coverage for geographic coverage area 112-1through 112-4 (also referred to individually as “coverage area 112” orcollectively as “coverage areas 112”). The geographic coverage area 112for a base station 102 can be divided into sectors making up only aportion of the coverage area (not shown). The system 100 can includebase stations 102 of different types (e.g., macro and/or small cell basestations). In some embodiments, there can be overlapping geographiccoverage areas 112 for different service environments (e.g.,Internet-of-Things (IOT), mobile broadband (MBB), vehicle-to-everything(V2X), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-to-everything (M2X),ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), machine-typecommunication (MTC)).

In some examples, the system 100 can include a 5G network and/or anLTE/LTE-A network. In an LTE/LTE-A network, the term eNB is used todescribe the base stations 102 and, in 5G or new radio (NR) networks,the term gNBs is used to describe the base stations 102 that include mmWcommunications. The system 100 can form a heterogeneous network in whichdifferent types of base stations provide coverage for variousgeographical regions. For example, each base station 102 can providecommunication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, and/or othertypes of cell. As used herein, the term “cell” can relate to a basestation, a carrier or component carrier associated with the basestation, or a coverage area (e.g., sector) of a carrier or base station,depending on context.

A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g.,several kilometers in radius) and can allow unrestricted access bywireless devices with service subscriptions with the network provider. Asmall cell is a lower-powered base station, as compared with a macrocell, and can operate in the same or different (e.g., licensed,unlicensed) frequency bands as macro cells. Examples of small cellsinclude pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells. A pico cell can covera relatively smaller geographic area and can allow unrestricted accessby wireless devices with service subscriptions with the networkprovider. A femto cell covers a relatively small geographic area (e.g.,a home) and can provide restricted access by wireless devices having anassociation with the femto cell (e.g., wireless devices in a closedsubscriber group (CSG), wireless devices for users in the home). A basestation can support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and thelike) cells (e.g., component carriers). All fixed transceivers notedherein that provide access to the network are NANs.

The communication networks that accommodate various disclosed examplescan be packet-based networks that operate according to a layeredprotocol stack. In the user plane, communications at the bearer orPacket Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer can be IP-based. A RadioLink Control (RLC) layer then performs packet segmentation andreassembly to communicate over logical channels. A Medium Access Control(MAC) layer can perform priority handling and multiplexing of logicalchannels into transport channels. The MAC layer can also use Hybrid ARQ(HARQ) to provide retransmission at the MAC layer, to improve linkefficiency. In the control plane, the Radio Resource Control (RRC)protocol layer provides establishment, configuration, and maintenance ofan RRC connection between a wireless device 104 and the base stations102 or core network 106 supporting radio bearers for the user planedata. At the Physical (PHY) layer, the transport channels are mapped tophysical channels.

As illustrated, the wireless devices 104 are distributed throughout thesystem 100, where each wireless device 104 can be stationary or mobile.A wireless device can be referred to as a mobile station, a subscriberstation, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remoteunit, a handheld mobile device, a remote device, a mobile subscriberstation, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, aremote terminal, a handset, a mobile client, a client, or the like.Examples of a wireless device include user equipment (UE) such as amobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, ahandheld mobile device (e.g., wireless devices 104-1 and 104-2), atablet computer, a laptop computer (e.g., wireless device 104-3), awearable (e.g., wireless device 104-4). A wireless device can beincluded in another device such as, for example, a drone (e.g., wirelessdevice 104-5), a vehicle (e.g., wireless device 104-6), an augmentedreality/virtual reality (AR/VR) device such as a head-mounted displaydevice (e.g., wireless device 104-7), an IoT device such as an appliancein a home (e.g., wireless device 104-8), or a wirelessly connectedsensor that provides data to a remote server over a network.

A wireless device can communicate with various types of base stationsand network equipment including macro eNBs/gNBs, small cell eNBs/gNBs,relay base stations, and the like. A wireless device can alsocommunicate with other wireless devices either within or outside thesame coverage area of a base station via device-to-device (D2D)communications.

The communication links 114-1 through 114-11 (also referred toindividually as “communication link 114” or collectively as“communication links 114”) shown in system 100 include uplink (UL)transmissions from a wireless device 104 to a base station 102, and/ordownlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station 102 to a wirelessdevice 104. The downlink transmissions may also be called forward linktransmissions while the uplink transmissions may also be called reverselink transmissions. Each communication link 114 includes one or morecarriers, where each carrier can be a signal composed of multiplesub-carriers (e.g., waveform signals of different frequencies) modulatedaccording to the various radio technologies described above. Eachmodulated signal can be sent on a different sub-carrier and carrycontrol information (e.g., reference signals, control channels),overhead information, user data, etc. The communication links 114 cantransmit bidirectional communications using FDD (e.g., using pairedspectrum resources) or TDD operation (e.g., using unpaired spectrumresources). In some embodiments, the communication links 114 include LTEand/or mmW communication links.

In some embodiments of the system 100, the base stations 102 and/or thewireless devices 104 include multiple antennas for employing antennadiversity schemes to improve communication quality and reliabilitybetween base stations 102 and wireless devices 104. Additionally oralternatively, the base stations 102 and/or the wireless devices 104 canemploy multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) techniques that may takeadvantage of multi-path environments to transmit multiple spatial layerscarrying the same or different coded data.

In some embodiments, the wireless devices 104 are capable ofcommunicating signals via the LTE network and an mmW system (e.g., as apart of a 5G/NR system). Accordingly, the wireless device 104 cancommunicate with the base station 102 over an LTE link and/or with atransmission point (TP) or base station (BS) over an mmW link. Inanother example, at least one of the base stations 102 communicatessignals via the LTE network and the mmW system over one or morecommunication links 114. As such, a base station 116 may be referred toas an LTE+mmW eNB or gNB or as an LTE+mmW TP/BS/mmW-BS.

Wireless Network Components

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates core components of a wirelessnetwork. As shown, the network 200 (e.g., of system 100) can include awireless device 210 (e.g., wireless device 114), a radio access network(RAN) 220, a core network 230, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network240, one or more public data networks (PDNs) 250, and a domain nameserver (DNS) 260. The RAN 220 includes a network access node (NAN) 222.The core network 230 includes a mobility management entity (MME) 232, aserving gateway (SGW) 234, and multiple PGWs 236. The IMS network 240includes a home subscriber server (HSS) 242. The components of thenetwork 200 can interconnect via wired and/or wireless connectionsthrough interfaces that are not described herein for the sake ofbrevity. Implementations can include any number of UEs, RANs (e.g., 4G,5G), NANs (e.g., eNB, gNB), etc.

The RAN 220 connects subscribers (e.g., wireless device 210) to aservice provider. The RAN 220 is capable of supporting high data rates,low-latency, packet optimization, large capacity and coverage, etc. TheNAN 222 can receive voice and/or data from MME 232 and/or SGW 234 andwirelessly transmit that voice and/or data to the wireless device 210.The NAN 222 wireless device also include one or more devices thatwirelessly receive voice and/or data from the wireless device 210 andtransmit that voice and/or data to one of the MME 232 and/or the SGW 234or to other UEs. The NAN 222 can combine the functions of a base stationand a radio network controller (RNC) in some RANs.

The core network 230 can be or include a 5G core and/or a 4G EPC corenetwork architecture. In one example, the core network 230 wirelessdevice include an all-IP packet-switched core network that supportshigh-speed wireless and wireline broadband access technologies. Inanother example, the core network 230 can provide packet-switched voiceservices using the IMS network 240.

The MME 232 can perform idle mode tracking and paging procedures (e.g.,including retransmissions) for the wireless device 210. The MME 232 canbe involved in a bearer activation/deactivation process and can choosean SGW for wireless device 210 at an initial attach and at a time of ahandover. The MME 232 can authenticate the wireless device 210 (e.g.,with the HSS 242), allocate temporary identities to UEs, enforce roamingrestrictions for UEs, provide a control plane function for mobilitybetween networks, etc.

The SGW 234 can include data transfer devices (or network devices), suchas a gateway, a router, a switch, a firewall, a network interface card(NIC), a hub, a bridge, a proxy server, or some other type of devicethat processes and/or transfers data. In one example implementation, theSGW 234 can route and forward user data packets, can act as a mobilityanchor for a user plane during handovers, and can act as an anchor formobility between network technologies.

Each of the PGWs 236 can include one or more devices that process and/ortransfer data. In one example implementation, a PGW providesconnectivity of the wireless device 210 to external PDNs as a trafficexit/entry point for the wireless device 210. The wireless device 210wireless device simultaneously connect to more than one PGW 236 foraccessing multiple PDNs 250. The PGWs 236 can perform policy deploymentor enforcement, packet filtering for each wireless device, chargingsupport, lawful intercept, and packet screening. The PGWs 236 can act asanchors for mobility between different network technologies (e.g., 4G,5G). Thus, the PGW has subscriber awareness features, stores policiesthat enable access to mmW services, and generates billing records.

The IMS network 240 can include an architectural framework or networkfor delivering IP multimedia services. The HSS 242 can include a masteruser database that supports devices of the IMS network 240 that handlecalls. The HSS 242 can include subscriber identifiers, performauthentication and authorization of a user, and provide informationabout a subscriber's location and IP information. Each of the PDNs 250can include one or more networks capable of communicating with wirelessdevices. As traffic conditions change in the PDNs 250, packets aredynamically routed via different paths in the PDNs 250.

The DNS 260 can include a distributed hierarchical naming system fordevices, services, or any resources connected to the Internet or othernetworks. The DNS can associate a variety of information with domainnames assigned to each of the devices, services, resources, etc. The DNScan translate domain names into numerical (e.g., binary) identifiersassociated with network devices for the purpose of locating andaddressing these network devices. The DNS 260 can executespecial-purpose networking software, may include a public IP address,and may provide a database of network names and IP addresses for networkdevices such as the PGWs 236.

Other implementations can include fewer, additional, or differentdevices or networks, or differently arranged devices or networks thandepicted in FIG. 2. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more devicesor networks of the network 200 may perform one or more other tasksdescribed as being performed by one or more other devices or networks ofnetwork 200.

Simulated Continuous mmW Access

The simulated continuous mmW access is enabled in part by thehigh-capacity local memory of wireless devices. When a wireless deviceis on a non-mmW band or disconnected from the network entirely, thewireless device autonomously queues data items (e.g., content, software)for download that is scheduled to occur when the wireless device is onan mmW band. Then, when the user selects the data items from thewireless device, the user can experience high-speed, low-latency, highcapacity access regardless of whether the wireless device is connectedto the 5G network over an mmW or non-mmW link.

The disclosed technology uses a trusted network source to confirm that awireless device is on an mmW link, which can prevent the wireless devicefrom performing scheduled downloads while on non-mmW links. Thisaddresses an additional problem of a hacked wireless device that tricksthe network into allowing downloads while on a non-mmW link. In oneexample, a NAN is a trusted source that confirms to an upstream PGW thatthe wireless device can access an mmW link for downloads. As indicatedearlier, the PGW has subscriber awareness features, stores policies thatenable access to mmW services, and generates billing records.

The NAN can detect and report an RF condition upstream to the PGW oranother node that deploys or enforces policies for data downloads. Forexample, the NAN can report current conditions for MIMO, carrieraggregation (CA), and so on, which can be used by the PGW to manage theNAN and services to the wireless device. If the NAN detects that thewireless device only has access to a low capacity data link, the NAN canreport that condition and request that the PGW limit the subscriber'sdemand for high-capacity downloads. The wireless device can alsothrottle back demand for optional capacity usage, such as requesting HDvideo, software updates, podcast updates, and app updates. On the otherhand, if the NAN detects that the wireless device can access an mmWlink, CA, or MIMO, the PGW can allow non-real-time downloads ofpodcasts, apps, and software updates.

The network carrier can also actively incentivize mmW utilization by,for example, offering free use of an mmW communications and charging fornon-mmW communications, which can be tracked by the PGW based on theconditions reported by the NAN. In another example, the network canimpair a subscriber's experience on a non-mmW link to induce mmWutilization.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process for simulatingcontinuous access to an mmW band based on trusted capacity reporting forconditional usage and scheduling. At 302, a communications link isestablished between the wireless device and the telecommunicationsnetwork (e.g., 5G network) over an mmW band or a non-mmW band (e.g., lowband, mid band). The communications link includes a leg between thewireless device and a network access node (NAN) of the 5G network. TheNAN is configured to provide access for the wireless device to the 5Gnetwork over the mmW band and the non-mmW band. Access to the 5G networkover the mmW band requires line-of-sight (LOS) to the NAN. Access to the5G network over a non-mmW band does not require LOS but offers inferiorperformance compared to the mmW band.

At 304, the wireless device receives a request for high-speed,low-latency, high capacity access to the 5G network. For example, theuser can open a video streaming app on the wireless device and select aprogram for streaming a high-resolution video over the 5G network. Otherexamples of forms of data that would benefit from high-speed,low-latency, high capacity access include large software programs orpatches that can be requested by the wireless device without user input.

At 306, the wireless device submits the request to the NAN. Usage ofnetwork resources is conditioned on the bands that the wireless devicecan use to access the network. For example, if the wireless device hasaccess to a high-speed, low-latency, high-capacity RF band such as anmmW band, then the network could enable real-time or near-real timeaccess to data over the network. On the other hand, if the wirelessdevice only has access to a non-mmW band such as a low band or mid band,then the network could limit access to the data or, for example, providelower quality data to incentivize the user of the wireless device toseek out access to an mmW band.

At 308, the NAN checks one or more conditions of the network. The NANcan check the speed, latency, and/or capacity of the network resourcesavailable to the wireless device. Examples include an impaired (e.g.,attenuated) or unimpaired mmW band, mid-band, or low band resource.

At 310, the NAN sends at least an indication of the wireless device'srequest and the detected network conditions. In one example, the networkcondition indicates that the wireless device has access to the mmW band.In another example, the indication includes a request generated by theNAN to limit or allow the access by the PGW. That is, the NAN candetermine a suitable response to the wireless device's request. Inanother example, the indication can include information about thenetwork conditions for the PGW to determine a suitable response to thewireless device's request.

At 312, the information obtained by the NAN is received and processed atthe PGW in accordance with policies to formulate instructions forcontrolling access by the wireless device and for billing purposes. Inparticular, the PGW includes a memory that stores one or more policiesto control data access by the wireless device and record an indicationof access to the 5D network by the wireless device for billing purposes,in accordance with a service plan related to the wireless device. Forexample, to incentivize maximum mmW band usage, a service plan mayprovide free mmW usage and meter the usage of non-mmW bands. At 314, theinstructions that limit or allow the request are communicated to theNAN, which can enforce the instructions on the wireless device.

At 316, while the wireless device is accessing the 5G network over thenon-mmW band, the wireless device can be caused to autonomously scheduledata downloads. For example, a data item is autonomously added to aqueue including multiple data items that are scheduled for download tothe wireless device when the wireless device connects to the 5G networkover an mmW link. In other words, the wireless device can schedule datawhile on the non-mmW link and then preload the scheduled data when thewireless device changes to an mmW link at 318.

In one implementation, an application programming interface (API) at thewireless device obtains feedback from a media streaming application onthe wireless device and identify the media item for the queue of themultiple data items. For example, the system can implement one or moremachine learning algorithms to predict a type or category of programthat a user is likely to select for rendering. The machine learningalgorithms can predict the program based on the historical activity ofthe user on the media app. For example, the system can select a child'scartoon program in a series if the user routinely or recently viewed arelated cartoon program on the wireless device or another user device.As another example, the system can identify a currently stored episodeof a video or podcast media item in a series, and predict that themobile device will soon request the next media item in the series.

At 320, the wireless device autonomously sends a request to the NAN toperform the scheduled data downloads. At 322, the NAN checkscondition(s) of the network. For example, similar to 308, the NAN cancheck the speed, latency, and/or capacity of the network available tothe wireless device.

At 324, the NAN sends the request and an indication of the networkconditions to the PGW regarding whether to limit or allow the access tothe wireless device based on the conditions detected by the NAN, in amanner similar to 310. In 326, the information sent by the NAN isprocessed in accordance with the PGWs policies to formulate instructionsfor controlling whether the wireless device can preload the scheduleddata and for billing purposes, in a manner similar to 312. In oneexample, a condition affects a communication link of the wireless deviceto the network. The condition relates to a network capacity or networkcongestion and is detected by the NAN. The system can cause the wirelessdevice to throttle download of the multiple data items if the networkcapacity is impaired or the congestion impairs data transfers on the mmWband.

At 328, the instructions from the PGW enable the wireless device todownload the scheduled data (e.g., multiple data items). The wirelessdevice can thus preload the multiple data items over the mmW band andstore the multiple data items at a local memory of the wireless device.The data items that stored at the local memory are available for thewireless device to simulate access over the mmW band while the wirelessdevice is connected to the 5G network over a non-mmW band.

At 330, the wireless device changes to connect to the 5G network over anon-mmW link or disconnects from the 5G network entirely. As such, thewireless device no longer has high-speed, low-latency, high capacityaccess to the 5G network. At 332, the wireless device receives a requestfor high-speed, low-latency, high capacity access to the 5G network, ina manner similar to 304. For example, the user can select a program forstreaming over the 5G network.

At 334, the wireless device retrieves the data from the local memory inlieu of obtaining the data over the 5G network. For example, thewireless device can render stored data (e.g., video) as if the wirelessdevice is connected to the 5G network over an mmW band and streaming thevideo in real-time. As such, the user perceives high-speed, low-latency,high capacity access to the 5G network while the wireless device isconnected to the network over a non-mmW band or disconnected from thenetwork entirely.

Thus, the disclosed technology can maximize consumption on 5G mmW bands,which can displace wireless local area networks, and is operationallyless costly and provides superior performance compared to legacy systems(e.g., 4G). The technology can simulate continuous access by a UE to anmmW band (or another extremely high frequency (EHF) band) of a 5Gnetwork, which is enabled in part by the high-capacity local memory ofUEs. When a UE is on a non-mmW band, the UE autonomously queues data(e.g., files, content, software patches) for download when the UE is onthe mmW band. The stored data files are accessible for rendering lateras if the UE is on an mmW band of the 5G network. A network carrier canalso actively incentivize use of mmW service by, for example, offeringfree use of an mmW service or by impairing subscriber experience onlegacy networks to induce use of the mmW service. The technology alsouses a trusted network source to confirm that the UE can access the mmWservice, which addresses the problem of a hacked UE that tricks thenetwork into allowing data while on a non-mmW band.

Computer System

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a computersystem 400 in which at least some operations described herein can beimplemented. For example, components of system 100 or network 200 caninclude or host components of the computing system 400.

As shown, the computer system 400 can include one or more processors402, main memory 406, non-volatile memory 410, a network interfacedevice 412, video display device 418, an input/output device 420, acontrol device 422 (e.g., keyboard and point device), a drive unit 424that includes a storage medium 426, and a signal generation device 430that are communicatively connected to a bus 416. The bus 416 representsone or more physical buses and/or point-to-point connections that areconnected by appropriate bridges, adapters, or controllers. The bus 416,therefore, can include a system bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect(PCI) bus or PCI-Express bus, a HyperTransport or industry standardarchitecture (ISA) bus, a small computer system interface (SCSI) bus, auniversal serial bus (USB), IIC (I2C) bus, or an Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 1394 bus (also referred to as“Firewire”). Various common components (e.g., cache memory) are omittedfrom FIG. 4 for brevity. Instead, the computer system 400 is intended toillustrate a hardware device on which components illustrated in theexamples of FIGS. 1-3 and any other components described in thisspecification can be implemented.

The computer system 400 can take any suitable physical form. Forexample, the computing system 400 may share a similar architecture asthat of a personal computer (PC), tablet computer, mobile telephone,game console, music player, wearable electronic device,network-connected (“smart”) device (e.g., a television or home assistantdevice), AR/VR systems (e.g., head-mounted display), or any electronicdevice capable of executing a set of instructions that specify action(s)to be taken by the computing system 400. In some embodiment, thecomputer system 400 can be an embedded computer system, a system-on-chip(SOC), a single-board computer system (SBC) or a distributed system suchas a mesh of computer systems or include one or more cloud components inone or more networks. Where appropriate, one or more computer systems400 can perform operations in real-time, near real-time, or in batchmode.

The processor 402 can be, for example, a central processing unit, aconventional microprocessor (e.g., Intel Pentium processor). The memory(e.g., main memory 406, non-volatile memory 410, machine-readable medium426) can be local, remote, or distributed. Although shown as singlemedium, the machine-readable medium 426 can include multiple media(e.g., a centralized/distributed database and/or associated caches andservers) that store one or more sets of instructions 428. Themachine-readable (storage) medium 426 can include any medium that iscapable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions forexecution by the computing system 400. One of skill in the relevant artwill recognize that the machine-readable medium 426 can include any typeof medium that is accessible by the processor. The machine-readablemedium 426 can be non-transitory or comprise a non-transitory device. Inthis context, a non-transitory storage medium can include a device thatis tangible, meaning that the device has a concrete physical form,although the device can change its physical state. Thus, for example,non-transitory refers to a device remaining tangible despite this changein state.

In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of thedisclosure may be implemented as part of an operating system or aspecific application, component, program, object, module, or sequence ofinstructions (collectively referred to as “computer programs”). Thecomputer programs typically comprise one or more instructions (e.g.,instructions 404, 408, 428) set at various times in various memory andstorage devices in computing device(s). When read and executed by theprocessor 402, the instruction(s) cause the computing system 400 toperform operations to execute elements involving the various aspects ofthe disclosure.

Although embodiments have been described in the context of fullyfunctioning computing devices, the various embodiments are capable ofbeing distributed as a program product in a variety of forms. Examplesof machine-readable storage media, machine-readable media, orcomputer-readable media include recordable-type media such as volatileand non-volatile memory devices 410, removable flash memory, hard diskdrives, optical disks, and transmission-type media such as digital andanalog communication links.

Software is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or the driveunit 424. When software is moved to the memory for execution, theprocessor 402 will typically make use of hardware registers to storevalues associated with the software, and local cache that, ideally,serves to speed up execution. As used herein, a software program isassumed to be stored at any known or convenient location (e.g.,non-volatile storage, hardware registers) when the software program isreferred to as “implemented in a computer-readable medium.” A processorcan be “configured to execute a program” when at least one valueassociated with the program is stored in a register readable by theprocessor.

The network interface device 412 enables the computing system 400 tomediate data in a network 414 with an entity that is external to thecomputing system 400 through any communication protocol supported by thecomputing system 400 and the external entity. Examiner of the networkinterface device 412 include a network adaptor card, a wireless networkinterface card, a router, an access point, a wireless router, a switch,a multilayer switch, a protocol converter, a gateway, a bridge, bridgerouter, a hub, a digital media receiver, and/or a repeater.

Further, the interface device 412 can include a firewall that governsand/or manages permission to access/proxy data in a computer network andtracks varying levels of trust between different machines and/orapplications. The firewall can be any number of modules having anycombination of hardware and/or software components able to enforce apredetermined set of access rights between a particular set of machinesand applications, machines and machines, and/or applications andapplications (e.g., to regulate the flow of traffic and resource sharingbetween these entities). The firewall may additionally manage and/orhave access to an access control list that details permissions includingthe access and operation rights of an object by an individual, amachine, and/or an application, and the circumstances under which thepermission rights stand.

Examples of the I/O devices 420 include a keyboard, a mouse or otherpointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other inputand/or output devices, including a display device. Examples of thedisplay device 418 can include a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), or any display device.

In operation, the computer system 400 can be controlled by operatingsystem software that includes a file management system, such as a diskoperating system. One example of operating system software withassociated item management system software is the family of operatingsystems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.,and their associated item management systems. Another example ofoperating system software with its associated item management systemsoftware is the Linux™ operating system and its associated itemmanagement system. The item management system is typically stored in thenon-volatile memory and/or drive unit and causes the processor toexecute the various acts required by the operating system to input andoutput data and to store data in the memory, including storing items onthe non-volatile memory and/or drive unit.

The techniques introduced here can be implemented by programmablecircuitry (e.g., one or more microprocessors), software and/or firmware,special-purpose hardwired (i.e., non-programmable) circuitry, or acombination of such forms. Special-purpose circuitry can be in the formof one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), etc.

Some portions of the detailed description can be presented in terms ofalgorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bitswithin a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm can refer to aself-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. Theoperations are those requiring physical manipulations of physicalquantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take theform of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored,transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It hasproven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, torefer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters,terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion,it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizingterms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or“determining” or “displaying” or “generating” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registersand memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission or display devices.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purposesystems can be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it can prove convenient to construct more specializedapparatus to perform the methods of some embodiments. The requiredstructure for a variety of these systems will appear from thedescription below. In addition, the techniques are not described withreference to any particular programming language, and variousembodiments can thus be implemented using a variety of programminglanguages.

In some circumstances, operation of a memory device, such as a change instate from a binary one to a binary zero or vice-versa, for example, cancomprise a transformation, such as a physical transformation. Withparticular types of memory devices, such a physical transformation cancomprise a physical transformation of an article to a different state orthing. For example, but without limitation, for some types of memorydevices, a change in state can involve an accumulation and storage ofcharge or a release of stored charge. Likewise, in other memory devices,a change of state can comprise a physical change or transformation inmagnetic orientation or a physical change or transformation in molecularstructure, such as from crystalline to amorphous or vice versa. Theforegoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list in which a change instate for a binary one to a binary zero or vice-versa in a memory devicecan comprise a transformation, such as a physical transformation.Rather, the foregoing is intended as illustrative examples.

Remarks

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling orconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import can refer to this application as a whole andnot to any particular portions of this application. Where the contextpermits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular orplural number may also include the plural or singular numberrespectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more itemscovers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of theitems in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination ofthe items in the list.

While specific examples of technology are described above forillustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possiblewithin the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant artwill recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented ina given order, alternative implementations may perform routines havingsteps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and someprocesses or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined,and/or modified to provide alternative or sub-combinations. Each ofthese processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of differentways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as beingperformed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performedor implemented in parallel, or may be performed at different times.Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples such thatalternative implementations can employ differing values or ranges.

Details of the disclosed embodiments may vary considerably in specificimplementations while still being encompassed by the disclosedteachings. As noted above, particular terminology used when describingcertain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken toimply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted toany specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention withwhich that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in thefollowing claims should not be construed to limit the invention to thespecific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the aboveDetailed Description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, theactual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosedexamples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing theinvention under the claims. Some alternative implementations can includeadditional elements to those implementations described above or includefewer elements.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, and anythat may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties, except for any subject matterdisclaimers or disavowals, and except to the extent that theincorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosureherein, in which case the language in this disclosure controls. Aspectsof the invention can be modified to employ the systems, functions, andconcepts of the various references described above to provide yetfurther implementations of the invention.

To reduce the number of claims, certain embodiments are presented belowin certain claim forms, but the applicant contemplates various aspectsof an invention in other forms. For example, aspects of a claim can berecited in a means-plus-function form or in other forms, such as beingembodied in a computer-readable medium. A claim intended to beinterpreted as a mean-plus-function claim will begin with the words“means for.” However, the use of the term “for” in any other context isnot intended to invoke a similar interpretation. The applicant reservesthe right to pursue such additional claim forms in either thisapplication or in a continuing application.

I/We claim:
 1. At least one non-transitory, computer-readable medium,storing instructions, which when executed by at least one dataprocessor, perform operations for access by a wireless device wirelessdevice to a millimeter wave (mmW) band of a 5G network, the operationscomprising: establish a communications link between the wireless deviceand the 5G network over a non-mmW band, wherein the communications linkincludes a leg between the wireless device and a network access node(NAN) of the 5G network, wherein the NAN is configured to provide accessfor the wireless device to the 5G network over the mmW band and thenon-mmW band, and wherein access to the 5G network over the mmW bandsubstantially requires line-of-sight (LOS) to the NAN; and enable thewireless device to access for downloading at least one data item upondetermining that the wireless device has access to the mmW band of the5G network; and, wherein the wireless device is provided with the atleast one data item to download over the mmW band of the 5G network. 2.The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein a packet gatewayincludes a memory that stores one or more policies to control dataaccess by the wireless device and record an indication of access to the5G network by the wireless device for billing in accordance with aservice plan related to the wireless device, and wherein a policy of theone or more policies incentivizes mmW utilization by grantingsubscribers free mmW utilization and charging for non-mmW utilization.3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the NAN is a nextgeneration gigabit NodeB (gNB) configured to detect whether the wirelessdevice is within LOS to download the at least one data item over the mmWband of the 5G network.
 4. The computer-readable medium of claim 1,wherein the at least one data item is a media item, and the operationsfurther comprises: cause an application programming interface (API) toobtain feedback from a media streaming application on the wirelessdevice and identify the media item for a queue of the data items,wherein the at least one data item is a next media item episode in aseries that sequentially follows a stored episode for the seriescurrently stored on the wireless device.
 5. The computer-readable mediumof claim 1, further comprising while the wireless device is accessingthe 5G network over the band other than the mmW band, cause, thewireless device to autonomously schedule a download of a data item,wherein the data item is autonomously added to a queue of data itemsthat are scheduled for downloading to the wireless device.
 6. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the at least one data itemincludes a particular data item that was added autonomously to a queuewhile the wireless device was disconnected from the 5G network.
 7. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein enabling the wirelessdevice access for downloading the at least one data item comprises:receiving, at a packet gateway, a message generated by the NAN toconfirm that the wireless device has access to the 5G network over themmW band.
 8. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 further comprising:receiving, at a packet gateway, an indication that the mmW band isinaccessible to the wireless device; and limiting the download of the atleast one data item by the wireless device.
 9. The computer-readablemedium of claim 1 further comprising: cause the wireless device tothrottle download of the at least one data item in response to a packetgateway receiving an indication of a condition affecting thecommunication link, wherein the condition is detected by the NAN, andwherein the condition relates to network capacity or network congestion.10. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein: a packet gatewayreceives a request from the NAN to allow or limit access by the wirelessdevice to the 5G network based on a condition of the network detected bythe NAN, and wherein the condition relates to the communications link.11. The computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a request issued by the wireless device to download the atleast one data item over the 5G network, wherein the request is receivedby a packet gateway (PGW) of the 5G network; and wherein the wirelessdevice is enabled by the PGW to download the at least one data item overthe mmW band of the 5G network.
 12. A packet gateway apparatus,comprising: at least one hardware processor coupled to a 5G network; atleast one data storage component, coupled to the at least one processorand storing instructions, which when executed by the at least oneprocessor, perform operations comprising: receive an indication of arequest issued by a wireless device to download data over the 5Gnetwork, wherein the wireless device has access to the 5G network over amillimeter wave (mmW) band and a non-mmW band, and wherein the access tothe 5G network over the mmW band substantially requires line-of-sight(LOS) to the wireless device from a network access node (NAN); receiveone or more conditions that affect access by the wireless device to the5G network, wherein the one or more conditions indicate that thewireless device is connected to the 5G network over the mmW band ratherthan the non-mmW band; and provide instructions to enable the wirelessdevice to access the 5G network over the mmW band, wherein theinstructions are based on one or more policies stored in the at leastone data storage component.
 13. The packet gateway apparatus of claim12, wherein the one or more policies includes a policy to control dataaccess by the wireless device and wherein the packet gateway apparatusreceives, for billing in accordance with a service plan related to thewireless device, a record indicating access to the 5G network by thewireless device, and wherein the policy incentivizes mmW utilization bygranting subscribers free mmW utilization and charging for non-mmWutilization.
 14. The packet gateway apparatus of claim 12, wherein asthe wireless device changes from mmW bands to non-mmW bands, the NANprovides access to the 5G network via a policy of the packet gatewayapparatus, to thereby promote mmW band utilization.
 15. The packetgateway apparatus of claim 12, wherein the packet gateway apparatusreceives, from the NAN, data regarding requests from the wireless deviceand network conditions, whereby the NAN functions as a trusted source ofnetwork and connection status information for the packet gatewayapparatus.
 16. At least one non-transitory, computer-readable medium,storing instructions, which when executed by at least one dataprocessor, perform operations for a wireless device accessing millimeterwave (mmW) nodes of a telecommunications network, the operationscomprising: permitting the wireless device to connect with a networkaccess node (NAN), over either a mmW link or a non-mmW link, to therebyaccess the telecommunications network; if the wireless device issubstantially within line-of-sight (LOS) of the NAN and if networkcertain conditions exist for the mmW link, then establishing for thewireless device a high-speed, low-latency, high capacity access to thetelecommunications network via the mmW link as opposed to the non-mmWlink; and providing downloadable data to the wireless device over themmW link, wherein a local memory of the wireless device is configured tostore the downloadable data, whereby a user can later access thedownloadable data to experience perceived access to thetelecommunications network over the mmW link despite the absence of acurrent mmW link.
 17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, whereinwhile connected over the mmW link, the wireless device preloads to alocal memory on the wireless device the downloadable data for the userto access later, thereby providing the user with an experience ofperceived access to a 5G network over the mmW link despite the absenceof the mmW link.
 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, whereinthe wireless device includes an application programming interface (API)that connects with local applications (“apps”) running on the wirelessdevice, and wherein the apps request an operating system on the wirelessdevice to queue certain downloadable data items when the wireless deviceis connected to a mmW band of the 5G network.
 19. The computer-readablemedium of claim 16, wherein the wireless device autonomously predictssuitable data items to download based on the user's activities, andfills a local queue of the suitable data items scheduled for downloadwhen the wireless device connects to a mmW band of the 5G network. 20.The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein a network carrier forthe telecommunications network: a) offers free mmW band access butcharges user for non-mmW band utilization, or b) limits performance bywireless devices on non-mmW links to induce users into seeking mmWconnections, or c) provides streaming video with a 4K-definition onlyover mmW links.